UPDATE: New York lawmakers are racing to pass the Solutions Not Suspensions Act, a transformative bill aimed at reforming school discipline statewide. Advocates argue that removing students for minor infractions creates a damaging cycle of educational disruption, especially affecting students of color and those with disabilities.
Just announced, the legislation seeks to address the alarming statistic that students who are suspended once are likely to be suspended again. “Statistics show that a student who gets suspended once is most likely to get suspended again,” stated Sen. April Baskin. She highlighted that many students who drop out have a history of suspension, contributing to a troubling trend in education.
In a striking example, Baskin noted that in the Buffalo Public Schools, Black students account for a shocking 82% of all suspensions, despite making up just 60% of the student population. This disproportionate impact has sparked urgent calls for reform.
“Our outdated school discipline policy is not working,” Assemblywoman Michaelle Solange emphasized. “It’s creating almost like a school-to-prison pipeline.” The Solutions Not Suspensions Act aims to change that by limiting student suspensions to a maximum of 180 days and restricting suspensions for students from pre-K to grade 3. Importantly, it mandates that suspended students receive out-of-school instruction, ensuring that learning continues even when disciplinary actions are taken.
The bill recognizes that many behavioral issues stem from underlying problems, such as mental health challenges and food insecurity. “We want to make sure we’re tackling the root cause of the behavior,” Solange explained. The proposed interventions include peer counseling, professional counseling, and regular parent conferences, rather than simply sidelining students from education.
With 76 sponsors backing the bill in Albany, momentum is building. “It’s something that I think we can get done,” Solange asserted, expressing hope that the bill will soon advance through the committee stages in both the Assembly and Senate.
However, the path forward is not without challenges. Funding for additional counselors, facilities, and training remains a significant hurdle. Supporters argue that investing in these resources now will prevent greater costs in the future, ultimately addressing the mental health issues affecting students.
The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. As Solange pointed out, “Our students are having learning loss, and they’re also perpetuating any mental health issues that they are facing.” The Solutions Not Suspensions Act is positioned as a critical step toward a more equitable and effective education system in New York.
As discussions continue in Albany, all eyes are on the bill’s progress. Advocates are calling for immediate action to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed. The time for change is now.
